Marc Lee was part of a dedicated Naval Special Warfare team fighting the insurgency in Iraq, supporting the U.S. in its efforts to bring peace and stability to that country. His valorous conduct, exemplary leadership, and extraordinary self-sacrifice for his fellow service members have earned him the highest respect and gratitude of his fellow SEALs, the Navy, and our nation.Lee enlisted in the Navy in 2001. After an initial attempt at BUD/S training and temporary reassignment to the aircraft Carrier EISENHOWER, Lee rejoined the grueling program and graduated in 2004. He was assigned to SEAL Team THREE and deployed to Iraq.On August 2, 2006, Lee and his teammates were supporting an Iraqi Army unit during military operations with Army forces in Ramadi, a site of frequent insurgent attacks. The Naval Special Warfare Combat Advisory Element was conducting clearance operations.

Award Citation:

“During the operation, one element member was wounded by enemy fire. The element completed the casualty evacuation, regrouped and returned onto the battlefield to continue the fight. Petty Officer Lee and his SEAL element maneuvered to assault an unidentified enemy position. He, his teammates, Bradley fighting vehicles and Abrams tanks engaged enemy positions with suppressive fire from an adjacent building to the north.““To protect the lives of his teammates, he fearlessly exposed himself to direct enemy fire by engaging the enemy with his machine gun and was mortally wounded in the engagement. His brave actions in the line of fire saved the lives of many of his teammates.”